Collapsible wheel chair



April 13, 1954 J. E. GLASS COLLAPSIBLE WHEEL CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 8, 1951 Fig ATTOPI E Y3:

April 13, 1954 J. E. GLASS 2,675,057

COLLAPSIBLE WHEEL CHAIR Filed Jan. 8, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. JOSl-PH- 5 61/435 Patented Apr. 13, 1954 COLLAPSIBLE WHEEL CHAIR Joseph E. Glass, Elyria, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to The (Jolson Corporation, Elyria, 0hio,-a corporation of Ohio Application January 8, 1951, Serial No. 204,885

2 Claims.

1 This invention relates to wheel chairs of the type used by and for invalids and more particularly to foldable or collapsible wheel chairs, and

has for an object the provision of an improved X brace construction for such wheel chairs.

Another object of my invention is th provision of a collapsible wheel chair wherein the weight of the occupant is supported evenly on and directly by the chair frame. Another object is the provision of an X-brace construction for collapsible wheel chairs wherein substantial relative movement between the side frames of the chair is eliminated thereby making the chair rigid, more durable and more comfortable.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wheel chair embodying my invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the X-braces which constitute a part of my improved wheel chair; Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and showing the connection between the X-braces; Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmental elevation of the frame braces in the position assumed when the chair is in the extended or operative position; Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is similar to Figure 4 showing the frame braces in the position assumed when the chair is folded or collapsed; Figure '7 is a perspective view of one of the knee brace parts; and Figure 8 is a front elevation of the chair in the partially collapsed position, the wheels and foot rest parts having been omitted for the purpose of clarity.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 8, my improved wheel chair is constructed so that the frame and other parts thereof are symmetrical about the central vertical plane of "the chair. Th chair is comprised of a frame consisting of two similarly constructed rigid side frame parts or assemblies l and 2 which lie in substantially vertical and parallel planes. The frame is preferably made of. hollow steel tubing and may be plated or other wise processed to preserve these parts and to enhance the ultimate appearanc of the chair.

The side frame part-s l and 2 are connected together by a .pair of X braces 3 and 4 which are pivotally connected to opposite sides of the side frames at the front and rear of the chair. These braces in addition to rigidly bracing each side frame in laterally spaced relation with the other i when the chair is unfolded and ready for use, also, permit the side frame parts to be moved closely together to effect collapsing of the chair when same is not in use. The X braces also directly support the seat of the chair as will be explained below and thus coact with the other parts of the frame to provide a firm support for the occupant of the chair instead of solely relying on the seat 5 itself and to ensure proper balance in the chair structure when same is in use.

The seat 5 and the back 6 of the chair preferably are made of flexible material such as canvas fabric which is strong enough to support the weight of the occupant and yet is capable of fold ing on itself when the chair is collapsed. The

flexible seat 5 is secured by screws or the like to seat bars I which in turn are connected to the upper ends of the X braces 3 and 4. The seat bars 7 are free to move with respect to and in alignment with the frame and thus when the side frame parts I and 2 are moved toward each other during folding of the chair, seat bars 1 will move upwardly and toward each other, see Figure 8, while the fabric seat 5 folds together substantially as shown.

- The frame is also adapted to carry a pair of large bicycle-like wheels 9 which are fitted with auxiliary hand rims ID for use by the occupant in propelling the chair. Small swivel wheels or casters H which are adapted to swivel about a vertical axis support the opposite end of the chair and facilitate to som extent the steering of the chair. Adjustable foot rest members l2 are carried by the front part of the frame for convenience and comfort of the occupant.

Referring more specifically to the details of and 2 is for the most part substantially the same in size and shape and consists of a rear upright or backing member I5, a longitudinally extending bottom member 16 anda side member H. The rear end [5 of the side member H is secured as by brazing to the rear member If, and extends forwardly therefrom and horizontally as indicated at I9, is curved or downwardly bent at its front part 20 and extends therefrom to constitute a vertically extending front leg portion 2i of the frame. Suitable arm rest means, not shown, may be secured to the horizontal portions 553 of the side member for the comfort of the occupant. The horizontal portion i9 tapers outwardly, see Figure 8, and forwardly of the rear member 15 so as to be spaced a greater distance from the other sid member at the front than at the rear. This feature permits the occupant to seat himself more conveniently and comfortablyin' the chair.

' of the chair.

The upper or back supporting portion 23 of the rear member I5 is provided with suitable means such as screws or the like for anchoring the fabric back 6 thereto and is curved rearwardly at its upper end 24 to provide a handle for use by an attendant in guiding movements of the chair. Rubber grips 25 may be mounted on each handle 24 for convenience in gripping same.

The lower rear portion of each side frame is constructed as shown in Figure 3 and consists of the lower portion 28 of rear leg 2'! which is brazed at its lower end to the lower horizontal member I6. A formed or curved strut 29 is securely brazed or otherwise attached to th leg portion 21 of each rear member I5 and to each lower horizontal member I6. Each strut 23 is well adapted to carry a heavy load in conjunction with the casters II by inserting caster stems into the lower open ends of the struts. Thus strut 2!! enables the mounting of the rear wheels II behind the rear edge of seat 5 to provide additional safety for the occupant by practically eliminating inadvertent tipping of the chair to the rear.

In order to support the foot rest members I2, I have provided front support tubes 30, Figure 1, which are brazed at the upper ends to each front leg portion 2I and extend downwardly therefrom and substantially parallel thereto to a point below the plane of the bottom members I6 of the frame but spaced sufficiently above the plane of the floor. Tubular braces 32 reinforce the connection of tubes 30 to the frame. As shown in Figure 1, the foot rest members I2 consist of flat plates 33 pivotally connected at their side ends to extensions 34 of sleeves 35, which sleeves fit over and are adapted to slide longitudinally of the support members 30. Plates 33 are adapted to engage sleeves 35, which thus define the limits of pivoting of said plates between a horizontal operative position shown in Figure 1 and an upward vertically extending position as when the chair is' collapsed. Spring loaded plungers 36 disposed in sleeve extensions 35 are adapted to extend through foot rest positioning holes 31 formed in both faces of support tubes 30 which afford means of adjusting the height of the foot rest members as the needs of the occupant require and at the same time insures against any tendency of foot rests I2 to rotate about the vertical axes of support tubes 30.

As heretofore mentioned, the side parts I and 2 of the frame are connected together through X braces 3 and 4 located near the front and rear These braces preferably consist of pairs of diagonally extending channel members 40, see Figures 4, 5 and 8, pivotally connected together at their midportions as indicated at M, and having their respective lower end portions 42 pivotally connected as at 43 to the inboard sides of opposite portions of the front and rear legs of the frame. The upper ends 44 of members 40 are connected to the fore and aft ends of longitudinally extending seat bars I. 43 have substantially U-shaped cross sections, see Figure 5, and are assembled on the frame with the closed end 45 on the topside so that the members 40 open downwardly. In order to further support each channel member 40 on the frame as well as to ensure alignment of these members with respect to the frame when the chair is folded into a minimum space, angle shaped knee brace elements 46, only one of which is shown in Figures 4-7, inclusive, are provided. Each element 46 is preferably formed from fiat bar stock of thickness less than the width of the Members channel in members It and is angled as shown to provide along leg 41 and a short leg or knee portion 48. Legs 41 are suitably apertured as at 43 to provide for pivotal connection of elements 46 to the upper portions of the frame legs. The opposite end of leg 48 is disposed within the channel of member 40 and is formed with an aperture 50 for receiving a pin II which extends through both legs of the channel member to effeet a pivotal connection between element 46 and member 40.

When the chair is unfolded for use each knee brace element 46 pivots relative to the frame and the associated X brace member 40 until the knee portion 48 of element 46 fits completely into member 40 with the top edge 52 of portion 48 in engagement with closed end 45 of the channel member, as shown in Figure 4. Thus, the knee portion 48 acts as a positive stop to limit the movement of the side frame parts I and 2 away from each other whereby to locate the proper position of said parts as well as of the X braces when the chair is fully opened or unfolded. The advantageous result of this construction is that the weight of the chair occupant on seat member 5 is supported directly by the frame and is evenly distributed to both of the side frame parts I and 2. Further, the fit of knee braces, 43 inside the channels 40 substantially eliminates movement of side parts I and 2 relative to each other in fore and aft directions and thus serves to reinforce the whole frame. When the side frame parts I and 2 are moved toward each other during the process of foldingthe chair as for storage or transporting purposes, each knee brace element 46 pivots simultaneously about the point of connection 43 to the frame and the connection to the X brace members 40 and guides the latter so that seat bars I move substantially vertically and in alignment with the plane of the side frame parts I and 2, as shown in Figure 8.

The above described wheel chair is rugged in construction so as to promote maximum life of the chair, ease of operation of same, and safety and comfort of the occupant. The employment of a fabric back and seat, the hollow tubular frame structure, and the minimum number of parts all contribute to the desirable feature of a light weight chair. The provision of means for positively supporting the occupant of the chair by the assembly of X brace and knee brace parts ensures maximum safety in event of. failure of the seat member.

Modifications,- changes and improvements to my invention will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Therefore I do not wish to be limited to the exact embodiment described herein, the scope of my invention being defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible wheel chair comprising a frame having independent side parts, a pair of channel shaped X brace members extending diagonally of and transversely of said frame, said members being pivotally connected together at their mid portions and being pivotally connected at their lower ends to opposite portions of-said frame side parts, knee brace elements each pivotally connected to one of said members and to one of said side frame parts, each of said elements havinga knee portion thereof aligned with the associated channel member so as to be telescopically seated disposed within the channel of the respective member and pivotally secured thereto by pins extending through said member and said element.

2. A collapsible wheel chair comprising a frame having independent side parts, a pair of channel shaped X brace members extending diagonally of and transversely of said frame, said members being pivotally connected together at their mid portions and being pivotally connected at their lower ends to opposite portions of said frame side parts, knee brace elements each pivotally connected to one of said members and to one of said side frame parts, each of said elements having a knee portion thereof aligned with the associated channel member so as to be telescopically seated within said member when the chair is fully extended, each of said elements comprising a flat angle shaped strip having a width less than the width of the channel in the respective member and having an elongated abutting edge portion, each element being disposed to lie in the plane of the channel of said member, one end of each ele- 6 ment adjacent said edge thereof being disposed within said channel member and pivoted thereto for movement in the plane of said member, said elongated edges on said elements abultting the bottom of said channel members to limit further extension of said chair.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTQ Number Name Date 882,248 Haas Mar. 1'7, 1908 1,394,224 Scott Oct. 18, 1921 2,285,699 Everest et a1 June 9, 1942 2,379,566 Duke July 3, 1945 2,402,085 Rideout June 11, 1946 2,459,066 Duke Jan. 11, 1949 2,460,459 Kraska Feb. 1, 1949 2,486,015 Everest et al Oct. 25, 1949 2,493,682 Meehan Jan. 3, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 417,893 Great Britain Oct. 15, 1934 

